Scilla × allenii

Like its parents, Scilla × allenii grows from bulbs and flowers freely in early spring. The flowers are various shades of blue from lilac to violet and are intermediate in size between those of the parents, up to 2.5 cm in diameter when fully open.[3] As with most hybrids, individual plants vary; some have been given cultivar names. 'Frà Angelico', with pale blue flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit[2] (confirmed 2017).[4]

The hybrid was first described by G. Nicholson in 1897.[1] The specific epithet allenii refers to the discoverer of the hybrids, James Allen. He noticed them in his garden in Shepton Mallet, England, at the end of the nineteenth century.[3]

At the time the hybrid was named, one of its parents was placed in the genus Chionodoxa. Accordingly a hybrid genus name was used, this species being × Chionoscilla allenii.[3] As of March 2020, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families regards Chionodoxa as part of Scilla,[1] in which case the hybrid genus name is not needed.

The original hybrid was discovered in cultivation in England. Spontaneous occurrence has been reported on the Nif Mountain in İzmir Province, Turkey.[5]

• × Chionoscilla at the Pacific Bulb Society web site
• × Chionoscilla allenii at the North American Rock Garden Society web site
• × Chionoscilla allenii 'Fra Angelico' at the Edgewood Gardens web site